Sally Veall

Born in London but having spent many of her younger years between the UK and Tuscany, Sally gained a taste living abroad at an early age. Having gained her A-levels, she “fell” into journalism, which saw her work as a freelance before changing career direction and studying interior design. She speaks several languages: French, Italian and Spanish which became useful when she moved to northern France in 1996 because of her husband’s work. There she helped him as a translator and also had her own business renovating and decorating rural houses for people from the UK and The Netherlands. In 2000 she moved to south-west France and re-established her property career, often working with Notaires as an independent translator for English-speaking clients. In 2006 she moved to Catalonia in Spain, again due to her husband’s work. At that time she had very little Spanish but quickly learnt it and also attended the local adult college to gain a basic understanding of Catalan. To begin with, she continued to renovate and decorate properties but then an opportunity arose in 2010 to return to writing and since then she has worked for the SpainBuyingGuide as the resident copywriter and freelances for other online websites. She says her aim is to tell the truth about moving to another country and to ease the way for new arrivees. With over 25 years’ experience as a “foreigner living abroad” she understands the joys and hardships of making a new life in another country. Books: Richmond, Surrey, As it Was. 1976  Historical and Archeological Section of the Richmond Society. (John Cloake, John Wright and Sally Albrecht (Veall).) Property:  Spain Buying Guide. Resident copywriter since 2010. Interior Design: Owner of Salvia Decor, Salisbury Wiltshire. Showroom/interior design. Working independently in France from 1996 to 2006 and in Spain from 2007 to 2010.

Articles by Sally Veall

10 things that might surprise you about life in Spain

Keen to make Spain home and curious to know what life is like? What better source than an expat celebrating her eighteenth year in the country. From two surnames to kooky festivals, discover fifteen things about life in Spain that might surprise and even tickle you.

Why you will love Lleida, Catalonia’s hidden gem

Today, we’re headed to Lleida, a small city in western Catalonia. A home there is a superb choice for those seeking a balance of the conveniences of city life, a big dose of authentic charm and a lower cost of living.  

A day in the life of an expat in the Costa Brava

Owning a home abroad is not like visiting for a week or two. So what will you get up to after you’ve tried every water sport you’re brave enough to try and tried the town’s competing seafood restaurants? Our expat writer in Spain, Sally, shares what a July day in her life in the Costa Brava is like.

A day in the life of an expat in the Costa Brava

Owning a home abroad is not like visiting for a week or two. So what will you get up after you’ve tried every water sport you’re brave enough to try and tried the town’s competing seafood restaurants? Our expat writer in Spain, Sally, shares what a July day in her life on the Costa Brava is like.

Spanish flavours under the sky: tips for al fresco dining

Much of Spain enjoys 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, double that of the UK. All that extra sunshine calls for outdoors time. That could be taking a dip in the Med, hiking up a mountain or…just making the most of your outdoor space. Lounging in a hammock, reading a book, or teaching the kids how to swim. Sally has lived in Spain for nearly twenty years. Here, she shares her tips for hosting a brilliant outdoor dinner.

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